This is a question we are often asked by clients who are thinking about applying for inclusion in the Small Business Administration’s 8(a) Business Development Program. The SBA does provide a check list with its online application system, which you can see here. However, the SBA makes very clear that it can request any information it deems necessary in order to make an eligibility determination on an 8(a) application, and it certainly does request additional information. For that reason, the check list that the SBA provides is not very complete in listing all of the documentation that an 8(a) applicant will be expected to produce. The good news is that the SBA is fairly consistent in the sort of documentation it asks of applicants, even if the documentation requested is not part of the SBA’s formal check list. In addition, the SBA’s check list isn’t the easiest document to digest at first glance and isn’t the best starting point for a company to get an idea of what will be needed.

For these reasons, we have put together our own check list of documents for the SBA 8(a) program, combining what’s required in 13 CFR 124, the SBA’s own check list, and our experience in what the SBA asks from applicants in requests for additional information both generally and in response to typical red flag situations (such as a recent change in ownership). See our complete check list here. Of course, the SBA can and will ask for additional information, particularly if there are red flags raised in an application.

Again, you can find our 8(a) check list here.